Bass Amp

Bass amp instruments are usually used to amplify the sound produced by bass guitars or double bass and other similar instruments. These instruments are usually mounted in sturdy and heavily-braced cabinets and consist of equalization and low-frequency controls. They are designed with cooling fans due to the high power demands of bass instrument amplification. Fender Company invented the first electric bass guitar, along with which the Fender Bassman amplifier was also produced.

There are different types of bass amplifiers available in the market that amplify the electric bass depending on the performance setting and style of music and the type of tone or the sound desired. There is a "combo" amplifier that consists of a combination of a modestly-powered (50 to 200 watts) amplifier and a speaker in a single cabinet. Such amplifiers are used for rehearsals, recording sessions or small club performances. The bass amps with more powerful amplifier (300 to 1000 watts) and separate speaker cabinets are used for larger venues like large clubs and outdoor music festivals. For performances in stadiums, bass amps with powerful amplifiers (rated at 1000 or more watts) and large, multiple-driver speaker cabinets, such as cabinets containing eight 10" speakers or large capacities are used.

Bass amps are based on two technologies namely thermionic ("tube" or "valve") or solid state (transistor) technology. Thermionic amplifiers are believed to produce a "warmer" or more "natural" sound than solid state amps, due to the "soft clipping" gain non-linearity that tube amps exhibit. Solid state amplifiers are cheaper bass amps, light in weight and require less maintenance. There are also a wide range of products that are used to stimulate different combinations of amp and cabinets, using digital signal processing and digital modelling technology.